Mycology

Fungi
are eukaryotic organisms that do not contain chlorophyll, but have cell walls, filamentous structures, and produce spores. These organisms grow as saprophytes and decompose dead organic matter. There are between 100,000 to 200,000 species depending on how they are classified.

Four phylum:
Ascomycota - Sexual reproduction in a sack called an ascus with the production of ascopspores Basidiomycota - Sexual reproduction in a sack called a basidium with the production of basidiospores

 Zygomycota - sexual reproduction by gametes and asexual reproduction with the formation of zygospores Mitosporic Fungi (Fungi Imperfecti) - no recognizable form of sexual reproduction. Includes most pathogenic fungi.

Dimorphic fungi
YEAST - (parasitic or pathogenic form). This is the form usually seen in tissue, in exudates, or if cultured in an incubator at 37 degrees C. 2. MYCELIUM - (saprophytic form). The form observed in nature or when cultured at 25 degrees C. Conversion to the yeast form appears to be essential for pathogenicity.

4 types of mycotic diseases

Hypersensitivity - an allergic reaction to molds and spores Mycotoxicoses - poisoning of man and animals by food products contaminated by fungi which produce toxins from the grain substrate Mycetismus - the ingestion of toxin (mushroom poisoning) Infection - tissue invasion with a host response

Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative and granulomatous disease of the cervico-facial, thoracic or abdominal areas. These lesions must be surgically drained prior to antibiotic therapy and the drug of choice is large doses of penicillin.

Nocardiosis
The most common species of Nocardia that cause disease in human beings are N. brasiliensis and N. asteroides. These are soil organisms which can also be found endogenously in the sputum of apparently healthy people

Strptomycoses
The streptomyces species usually cause the disease entity known as mycetoma (fungus tumor). These infections are usually subcutaneous, but they can penetrate deeper and invade the bone. Some species produce a protease which inhibits macrophages.

 Candida albicans (figure 2 and 3) is an endogenous organism. It can be found in 40 to 80% of normal human beings. It is present in the mouth. Although it most frequently infects the skin and mucosae, Candida can cause pneumonia, septicemia or endocarditis in the immuno-compromised patient.

 Candida albicans yeast and hyphae stages. A yeast-like fungus commonly occuring on human skin, in the upper respiratory, alimentary & female genital tracts.

Oral thrush
It is present in the mouth, gut, and vagina. It may be present as a commensal or a pathogenic organism.

Crytococcosis
Cryptococcosis manifests itself most commonly as meningitis but in recent years many cases of pulmonary disease have been recognized. C. neoformans is a very distinctive yeast. The cells, which are spherical and 3 to 7 microns in diameter

Tinea means "ringworm" or "mothlike".

Tinea corporis - small lesions occurring anywhere on the body. Tinea pedis - "athlete's foot". Infection of toe webs and soles of feet. Tinea unguium (onychomycosis) - nails. Clipped and used for culture. Tinea capitis - head. Frequently found in children

 Tinea cruris - "jock itch". Infection of the groin, perineum or perianal area. Tinea barbae - ringworm of the bearded areas of the face and neck Tinea versicolor - Characterized by a blotchy discoloration of skin which may itch.

Therapy
Tolfnatate (Tinactin) available over the counter - Topical Ketoconazole seems to be most effective for tinea versicolor and other dermatophytes. Itraconazole - oral Terbinifine (Lamisil) - oral, topical. Echinocandins (caspofungin)

Blastomycosis
Most of the systemic fungi have a specific niche in nature where they are commonly found. Blastomyces dermatitidis survives in soil that contains organic debris (rotting wood, animal droppings, plant material) and infects people collecting firewood, tearing down old buildings or engaged in other outdoor activities which disrupt the soil.

HISTOPLASMOSIS (Histoplasma capsulatum)

Histoplasmosis is a systemic disease, mostly of the reticuloendothelial system, manifesting itself in the bone marrow, lungs, liver, and the spleen. In fact, hepatosplenomegaly is the primary sign in children, while in adults, histoplasmosis more commonly appears as pulmonary disease.

COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS (Coccidioides immitis)

Coccidioidomycosis is primarily a pulmonary disease. About 60 % of the infections in the endemic area are asymptomatic. About 25 % suffer a "flulike" illness and recover without therapy. This disease exhibits the typical symptoms of a pulmonary fungal disease: anorexia, weight loss, cough, hemoptysis, and resembles TB.